Loch Ryan WWTW

Protecting your natural environment: Loch Ryan improvements

Scottish Water is proposing a project that will deliver a long term waste water solution for Stranraer, Cairnryan, Kirkcolm and Leswalt.

This project will bring the area in line with the rest of Scotland by installing a modern waste water treatment process that replaces outdated infrastructure. The shellfish waters will be given a boost as continuous discharges of waste water are removed from Loch Ryan and redirected to the North Channel.

What we're doing

Scottish Water has been closely liaising with SEPA to ensure the project meets strict environmental standards. The project will also ensure Scottish Water complies with a range of legal requirements.

A main element of the project will be creation of a new waste water treatment works (WWTW) to be built at Smithy Hill near Leswalt. It will discharge treated waste water into the North Channel of the Irish Sea, near Broadsea Bay.

Area affected

The plan is to convert the existing waste water treatment works (WWTW) at Stranraer to a pumping station and storm tanks. The new facility will collect waste from various outlying areas and pump it to the new treatment works. The current Port Rodie building will be demolished.

A modern replacement building at Port Rodie will be constructed and Scottish Water has liaised closely with Dumfries & Galloway planning experts to ensure the designs will fit in with future waterfront developments.

Project benefits

Once the changes are completed, the existing Port Rodie site will deliver further benefits when it is modified to provide storm storage. This is essential, as it will reduce the risk of the Stranraer network having to utilise storm overflow contingencies at times of heavy rainfall.

A host of smaller facilities will also form part of the project. These will include modifications to treatment works at Cairnryan, Kirkcolm and Leswalt. This will allow all waste to be transferred efficiently to the new Loch Ryan WWTW.

A series of waste water mains will also be laid so the waste can be transferred to either the new works or the Port Rodie pumping station. While the locations are fairly remote, as far as possible these new sections of the waste water network will be in places as close as possible to the roads leading in and out of the areas.